The invention relates to a method for optically detecting surfaces wherein strip patterns are projected onto the surface, images are captured, and the three-dimensional contour thereof is determined from the reproduction of the strip pattern on the surface of the object. The aim of the invention is to prevent reflections that interfere with the images and as a result, the surface of the object is covered with a layer of a fluorescent material, is then radiated with ultraviolet radiation, and the radiation emitted by the fluorescent material in the visible light is detected.